Restaurant bread is a perfect storm: you’re hungry, it’s free, immediate, unlimited, and refined carbohydrate that makes you hungrier for more. Research by Hollands confirms proximity effects operate below conscious awareness. Ask them to take it away, or move it out of arm’s reach—one moment of action prevents dozens of willpower battles.
This companion explores the bread basket problem, your options (remove it, relocate it, pre-decide against it), what not to do (rely on “just one”), and how to handle social dynamics when others want the bread. (4 min read)